It might not have been Santa's workshop, but it certainly was the next best thing. Volunteers from some 28 corporations were on hand under the big tent at the San Jose Convention Center on the morning of Dec. 7 to build 2,700 bikes for youngsters who otherwise would get very little--and nothing as special as a bicycle--for Christmas this year.

The organization behind this massive team effort is Turning Wheels for Kids. The brainchild of Sue Runsvold, a nurse manager, who in 2003 collected money from friends and colleagues to buy as many bikes as possible for distribution. The result: 12 bicycles went to happy youngsters. In 2005, Runsvold invited a group of volunteers to help with her dream.

Over the years, Turning Wheels for Kids has built and distributed more than 13,000 bikes. Even with the distribution of 2,700 bikes this year, Runsvold worries that some 2,500 youngsters who need bikes didn't get them. So next year, to mark the organization's 10th anniversary, the goal of Turning Wheels for Kids will be to make sure all 5,000 deserving youngsters receive a bike.

To accomplish that goal will require raising $500,000, double the amount raised this year. And that will be the annual goal going forward.

The corporations involved in fundraising and building see the effort as a great way to benefit the community and do a little team building as a bonus. The bike building day includes tricycle races between corporate competitors and then there's the fun of seeing kids' eyes light up when they step up to accept their bikes.